Oral Conditions of Elders and Middle-aged Individuals with Multiple Myeloma.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective of the present study was to assess the oral conditions of middle-aged and elderly individuals with multiple myeloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, in Northeastern Brazil. An oral examination was performed with 19 patients with multiple myeloma, and information on gender, age, diagnosis, diagnosis duration (months/years), and treatment duration (months/years) were collected. The gingival bleeding index (GBI) and probing depth (PD) were measured to check for periodontal disease, and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was used to assess dental conditions. Inferential statistics were also used, as well as the Mann-Whitney test to compare genders and continuous variables and the chi-square test for comparisons among the same groups with categorical variables. All statistical tests adopted a significance threshold of p ≤0.05. RESULTS: Among the 19 patients analyzed, 10 (52.6%) were elderly, and 9 (47.4%), middle-aged. The mean age of the participants was 63.4 ± 11.7 years, ranging from 48 to 83 years old. Statistical significance was found regarding missing teeth in the elderly group (p = 0.037), restored teeth in the middle-aged group (p = 0.029), and gingival bleeding among women (p = 0.050). Hyposalivation was observed in 89.5% of the individuals, of which 68.4% were characterized as moderate to severe. CONCLUSION: Better dental conditions were observed in the middle-aged group when compared to the elderly. Men presented the lowest GBI values. The salivary flow of patients with multiple myeloma was reduced, and most of them showed moderate to severe hyposalivation. It can be assumed that such a situation is caused by the action of drugs, chemotherapy, or even age. Improvements in the oral health of these patients are needed in order to promote a better quality of life. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Knowledge of the oral manifestations of multiple myeloma patients is essential to assist in the early diagnosis of these alterations, as well as to propose an adequate treatment plan, aiming to improve these patients' quality of life.

Repercussions of COVID-19 in Brazilian Dentists' Personal and Professional Routines: An Online Survey.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the repercussions of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Brazilian dentists' personal and professional routines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brazilian dentists were invited to participate in an online survey with questions pertaining to COVID-19 and its repercussions in dental practice. Sample calculation was performed using the Survey Monkey software (www.surveymonkey.com). The minimum sample required to obtain a 95% confidence level (CI) and 1% margin of error was 4,214. The eligibility criteria were dental professionals, of any gender and age, who were working in dentistry in a public, private, or university environment, regardless of the time of experience in the profession, and agreed to participate in the study. The survey was structured such that all the Brazilian regions were touched upon, thereby aiming at covering and collecting the representative data of the region. Responses were analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance, with statistical significance at p <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 15,813 dentists responded to the survey, representing all Brazilian regions. Complete social isolation was practiced by 96.21% of the respondents, and approximately 25% knew someone who had contracted COVID-19. Public health specialists were the most likely to provide emergency treatment (71.90%, p <0.001). In the Northeast region, 79.80% of respondents agreed that conventional personal protective equipment (PPE) was insufficient to prevent COVID-19 transmission, and 79.10% considered their biosecurity measures insufficient (p <0.001). In the North region, most dentists continued to perform elective dental procedures (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: It is possible to conclude that Brazilian dentists demonstrated high knowledge of COVID-19's main symptoms and the risks of transmission through dental procedures. Most respondents practiced social isolation, although some did continue to provide emergency dental care. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: To improve infection control in dental care settings against COVID-19, it is necessary to educate and raise awareness among professionals. How to cite this article: Candeiro GTM, Neri JR, Carvalho BMDF, et al. Repercussions of COVID-19 in Brazilian Dentists' Personal and Professional Routines: An Online Survey. J Contemp Dent Pract 2021;22(5):491-500.

Oral health complications in Brazilian and French diabetic older people: A comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for periodontitis for over 40 years and novel evidence suggests that periodontitis has an impact on glycemic control in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to compare oral health complications in diabetic older patients from Brazil and France. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients aged 65 and over diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Sixty patients were admitted to a center for diabetes and hypertension care in Brazil and 60 patients were admitted to the Rouen University hospital. Dental conditions were assessed through the decayed, missing and filled teeth index and periodontal condition was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index. The significance threshold was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Decayed teeth differed statistically between the groups (p = 0.001). The French group presented more tooth mobility, gingival recession and furcation involvement (p < 0.001). Tooth brushing frequency differed significantly between the groups (p < 0.030). The main cause of missing teeth was periodontitis in the French group and caries and periodontitis in the Brazilian group (p < 0.001). Statistical significance was found for use of fixed upper (p = 0.013) and lower (p = 0.013) dentures in the French group. The French group needed upper denture rehabilitation (p = 0.010) while the Brazilian group needed lower denture rehabilitation (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Edentulism was prevalent in diabetic older people in both countries. However, the French participants presented with better oral health.